WHY I'M SO STUPID

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, or its characters, or else Naruto would at least put up a better fight against those who ridicule him.

Ino was just getting ready to take a loud off since she just got back from completing five D-ranked missions, right now the only things she was looking forward to be a nice hot meal, followed by a nice soothing bath afterwards. She is currently sitting on the couch in her family's home, until a loud knock on the front door told her that she might have to wait a little longer on those.

She stood up and walked to door after realizing the person isn't going to be leaving anytime soon. When she opened the door, Ino was surprised to see her best friend standing there with a bag in her hand, "Forehead, what are you doing here?" She asked, before noticing a red hand mark on her friend's cheek, "And what happened to you?"

Sakura stood there for a little bit, looking like she was going to explode with so many emotions, "I just had a huge fight with my mom, so I have to leave for a little bit." Sakura said, "Would it be okay with your parents if I stayed here for awhile?"

"Sure, but they'll want to know the reason why." Ino said, while leading her friend towards the couch, "Although I don't get why your mother would just go all out and attack you."

As soon as they sat down, Sakura gave a small sigh, knowing that it would be now or never, "It all has to do with Naruto . . ." Sakura started to explain, getting her friends full attention.

* * *

Kakashi started to walk home after his little conversation with Naruto, feeling like a new person because the blonde has once again shown him why he is the most unpredictable person he has ever seen, just like his father.

Flashback . . .

"So what did you want to talk about sensei?" Naruto asked, while took a seat.

"I just wanted to apologize for not acting like a proper sensei to you since the wave mission. Your father was one who would never play favorites. He would try to make sure that nobody would get left behind in their training." Kakashi explain, "If by some chance he comes back now how well I was treating his son . . ."

"He'll make the Thousand Years of Pain jutsu feel like a million." Naruto finished, causing his sensei to shiver with fear over the thought, "Anyway, if you're going to say what I know you're going to say, then don't bother saying it, because no matter how you say it makes it sounds just as bad as it was for me growing up."

"How so?" Kakashi asked, surprised that his student had him figured out so soon.

"Because the last thing I need is for people to treat me like royalty, the same way people have been treating the Uchihas and the Hyugas for so many years. The one thing my father would want is for me to work my way from the ground up." Naruto explained, "Plus when I return, and word spreads that I'm a Namikaze, then I'll truly being going through a lot of hell since I'm the last one."

"So what is it that you would like me to do?" Kakashi asked, intrigued by this boys insight on things.

"If you really want to make up for everything, then do what you always tell us whenever we get out of bad situations: Learn from your mistakes, and try again until you get it right. As for the rest, I'm sure you can figure out on your own." Naruto said, while getting up on his feet, with a hand sticking out.

"I'll do just that, and thanks for the advice Naruto." Kakashi said as he took the offered hand, before starting to leave, "Oh, and before I forget, I will talk to the Hokage about what you said on what we discussed at the Uchiha manner, and considering on what, or rather who, you plan to back with you as proof, I'll make sure that the Hokage has the red carpet ready."

"Yeah, yeah, just leave already so that I can pack." Naruto said, with a chuckle.

End Flashback

After that talk, he finally got to know the true Naruto Uzumaki, or rather Naruto Namikaze. He took out his favorite little orange book and kept on walking.

* * *

Back at the Yamanaka home

To say that Ino was shocked would be an understatement. Finding out that her fellow blonde, one she used to always look down upon, was the container of the demon that attacked this village so many years, and the reason for the hatred he had to deal with. "Poor guy. Having to grow up with such a heavy burden like that, having most of the adults hate him for something that was beyond his control, and the fact that we didn't make matters any better the way we did." Ino said, having an all new respect for Naruto.

"I know, and when I told my mother about what I was feeling, well here I am." Sakura said, while finding the floor more interesting until the slamming of the front door shook her out of her thoughts.

"Oh I see that we have company, hello Sakura." Misty Yamanaka said as she greeted the pink-haired girl.

"Hello Mrs. Yamanaka." Sakura greeted back.

"Hey mom, Sakura just had a little falling out with her mom and needs a place to stay, so can she stay here?" Ino asked her mother.

"It's alright with me, but what I need to know is why would you and your mother be fighting in the first place? From what I've seen, you two have always been close." Misty said to the two girls.

Sakura had a sad look on her face, "It was about Naruto." When she said this, Misty dropped what she was doing and looked at her, "He told me and Sasuke everything about the kyubi and why he grew up the way we did. After we learned another secret from the Hokage, I went home to think about how I was going to make it up to him. Unfortunately, that was how our little fight got started. When I started to defend him, she slapped me, and when she realized what she did, she tried to pin the blame on him."

Misty shook her head slightly, "I'm not surprised. Ever since that day, that poor boy has been almost everybody's little scapegoat, and that they would even encourage their own children to treat him like an outcast. Although I have seen a few parents try to encourage their children to be nice to him, we've even try to encourage Ino here, but they didn't want to risk becoming another target for bullies." She said, "Even Ino was more concerned about her looks and public image."

"Dad says I get that from you." Ino said despite the guilt that she was feeling about what she did in the past.

"Oh he does, does he?" Misty said, with a look in her eyes that indicated danger, "Looks like we will be having a little talk when he gets back. Elsewhere, said individual felt a cold shiver go down his spine, "Anyway, how about you help me get dinner ready."

* * *

The next day

Everyone in the Konoha 12, including their senseis, Iruka and the Hokage herself showed up to wish their friend and his perverted sensei off on their journey. They already gave him a hug and a pat on the back while Jiraiya was threaten to have his jewels smashed by Tsunade if he tries to get Naruto to follow in his perverted footsteps. The Sanin looked like a ghost because he knew for a fact that his former teammate is more than capable in keeping true to that little threat.

Deciding that now would be a good time to tell his friends the real truth about the mask he wore for most of his life, "Before we leave, there is something you need to know about who I was for the past few years, and the way I am now." He started to say, getting everybody's attention, "The person you see before you is the real me, the only people who knew this are Shikamaru, Chouji and Hinata. The one you've seen at the academy was the mask, the only reason I wore it is because if people knew that I was any better than Sasuke, even become rookie of the year, they would demand blood, especially the overly annoying Sasuke Fan Club." Sakura and Ino looked down at ground, knowing full well that he is speaking the truth, "I could even protect myself from all the abuses of the other kids, but the only thing I can do is take it because the parents would use that as an excuse to get rid of me because the so called demon attacked their child even though he was just defending himself."

Except for those mentioned, and the senseis, they were surprised to find out that the person that was considered the dead-last of the class was far from it. Shikamaru, being the lazy genius that he is, was the one to ask the only question, "That isn't the only secret you have, is it Naruto." He asked.

Not the least surprised by the boy's question, "Actually I have two secrets. One I can't tell you because its about the family I found out I belong to, that I can't tell you until after I get back because it's something that would cause more harm then good if I tell you now." Except for the ones that already knew the rest nodded their heads in agreement with what he was trying to say, "As for the other, well I'll have Sasuke and Sakura explain it to you. Right now we better get going while the going is still good."

"Definitely." Jiraiya agreed right away, anxious to get away before Tsunade gets any other ideas on what to do with his body parts.

"Oh and before I forget," Naruto said, before pulling out a scroll, "This is for you Kakashi. Just make sure that I'm already outside the gate before you open it." Kakashi took it, and nodded at Naruto's request, "Anyway, so long everyone."

After all the goodbyes and farewells were said, the pair left, and the pair left through the gates, Sakura asked, "What's in the scroll Kakashi-sensei?"

"Good question." Kakashi answered, while he started to open up the scroll. When he opened it wide enough, *boom* his entire face was covered with a yellow dye. While everybody around was laughing their guts off, Kakashi spotted three little words on the scroll: Now we're even.

Here is my latest chapter. Sorry that it is a little shorter than the other two, but nobody's perfect. Anyway, the next chapter tells what happens during the trip, so wait awhile. Read and Review.